Put on the FULL Armor of God and stay alert!

We did the “Kingdom Keepers” VBS theme from Answers in Genesis last year, and because they gave SO much amazing material to teach, we are teaching this theme yet AGAIN this year, but with more of a focus on HOW to BE ALERT while wearing our full Armor of God!

(Heads up: 😊 this page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase on these links, I may receive a small commission as an Amazon Associate at no extra cost to you! I only recommended products that I absolutely LOVE myself! ❤️)

To help me study properly for both the older and younger kiddos, I used Priscilla Shirer’s “Unseen” workbooks for kids, which has AMAZING content! Love her heart for Jesus and Truth!! ❤️ She has a younger workbook version, which is green and an older workbook version, which is blue.

I also love the book “Girls with Swords: How to Carry Your Cross like a Hero”, teaching us how to prepare to fight our battles with the strength that Jesus gives us, armed with the Truth of God!

Put on the Full Armor of God and Be Alert: A Call to Spiritual Preparedness

Putting on the full armor of God and being alert is a foundational aspect of our Christian faith. As a believer, it is essential to understand the significance of this armor and how it can help you navigate through life’s challenges. The Bible says in Ephesians 6 that we do NOT battle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of darkness. (Meaning, we are NOT wrestling against our spouses, children, coworkers, friends, parents, etc…we are wrestling against the enemy himself!) Therefore, putting on the full armor of God is not just a suggestion but a necessity.

Understanding the Armor of God is critical to living a victorious life as a Christian. The armor consists of six essential elements that work together to provide protection and strength to the believer. These elements include the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in helping believers stand firm against the devil’s schemes.

Living in spiritual readiness is a continuous process that requires constant prayer and vigilance. As a Christian, you must be alert and aware of the devil’s tactics and schemes. Putting on the full armor of God is not a one-time event but a daily practice that requires discipline and commitment. When you live in spiritual readiness, you are better equipped to face life’s challenges and overcome them.…

So, I feel like my pups are a VERY good example of ALWAYS being alert! My husband is a pastor, and we live right next to the church’s parking lot, so EVERY single time someone pulls up to the church, our pups make it known with their projective barking vocal skills…the picture above indicates that Walter, (our 3 year old black mini Newfiedoodle) is carefully looking one way, on high alert as one of our neighbors is doing some landscaping, and Maggie (our 3 year old mini goldendoodle) is carefully looking the OTHER way, as a car and UPS truck just pulled up in our parking lot…let’s just say we never have a need of a doorbell! 😂 🐶 🐶

Do you see their stance? They are NOT laying down and relaxing, they aren’t even sitting…they are on all fours with every muscle tightened, intensely watching…That’s the type of alert I’m talking about!

Now, I have to tell you something really cool that I just researched last week…to be alert in the Greek context in Ephesians 6:18, means to be aware of how to PRAY for a certain situation or someone, and then be persistent in it! Not ONLY being mindful when the enemy DOES attack, but persevering in prayer WHEN he DOES! ❤️

Perseverance “proskarteresis” (only in the Ephesians 6:18 verse) means “persistence, adherence. The verb is most often tied to prayer! ⚔️

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the Armor of God is essential to living a victorious life as a Christian.
• Living in spiritual readiness requires constant prayer and vigilance.
• Putting on the full armor of God is a daily practice that requires discipline and commitment.

Understanding the Armor of God

Biblical Origins

The concept of putting on the full armor of God comes from a passage in the Bible, specifically Ephesians 6:10-18. In this passage, the apostle Paul urges his readers to put on the full armor of God so that they can stand firm against the devil’s schemes. He goes on to describe each piece of armor, including the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Spiritual Significance

Each piece of armor has spiritual significance and represents a different aspect of our relationship with God. The belt of truth represents the importance of living a truthful and honest life, while the breastplate of righteousness reminds us to live a life of integrity (doing what you know is RIGHT, even when no one else is looking). The shoes of peace symbolize the importance of being at peace with God and with others, while the shield of faith represents our trust in God’s promises and protection. The helmet of salvation reminds us of our salvation in Christ and the hope we have in Him, while the sword of the Spirit represents the power of God’s Word in our lives.

When we put on the full armor of God, we are equipping ourselves to face the spiritual battles that we will inevitably encounter in life. By relying on God’s strength and protection, we can stand firm against the devil’s attacks and live a life that honors God.

So, because I am an elementary teacher and because I love to make sure kids fully understand the concept of ANYthing we study together at church, I made a packet of 33 pages of the full Armor of God color printable pages, which took me over a month to make and practice with the kiddos to see if it actually worked, and they LOVED it!! 🛡️ ⚔️ ❤️

Elements of the Full Armor

To stand firm against the devil’s schemes, you need to put on the full armor of God. Each piece of armor represents a spiritual truth that protects you from the enemy’s attacks. Here are the six elements of the full armor:

Belt of Truth

The belt of truth represents the truth of God’s Word, which keeps you grounded in reality and guards against deception. When you wear the belt of truth, you can discern what is true and what is false, and you can resist the devil’s lies.

Breastplate of Righteousness

The breastplate of righteousness represents the righteousness of Christ, which covers your heart and protects you from condemnation. When you wear the breastplate of righteousness, you can stand before God with confidence and resist the devil’s accusations. Because “Righteousness” means “right living”, wearing this will help you make right choices…and because the breastplate protects the parts of the body needed to live, right choices will also protect YOU!

Shoes of the Gospel of Peace

The shoes of the gospel of peace represent the readiness to share the good news of salvation with others. When you wear the shoes of the gospel, you can walk in the path of righteousness and bring light to those who are lost in darkness. The cleat type shoes would help a soldier to stand firm and not be moved by any obstacle!

Shield of Faith

The shield of faith represents your trust in God’s promises, which deflects the devil’s fiery darts. When you hold up the shield of faith, you can quench all the fiery arrows of the evil one and stand firm in your faith.

Helmet of Salvation

The helmet of salvation represents the assurance of your salvation, which protects your mind from doubt and despair. When you wear the helmet of salvation, you can have peace in your heart and resist the devil’s attacks on your mind.

Sword of the Spirit

The sword of the Spirit represents the Word of God, which is the only offensive weapon in your spiritual arsenal. When you wield the sword of the Spirit, you can cut through the enemy’s lies and deception and bring the Truth to light.

By putting on the full armor of God, you can stand firm against the devil’s schemes and overcome every obstacle that comes your way. Remember to pray in the Spirit at all times and be alert to the enemy’s tactics, AND alert knowing HOW to pray with the Spirit’s help! ⚔️ 🛡️ ❤️

Living in Spiritual Readiness

To live in spiritual readiness, you must put on the full armor of God and be alert. This means being prepared for any spiritual attack that may come your way. Here are two essential ways to live in spiritual readiness:

Prayer and Vigilance

Prayer is a powerful tool that can help you stay alert and ready for any spiritual battle. By praying regularly, you can stay connected to God and seek His guidance and protection. You can also ask for the Holy Spirit to help you discern any spiritual attacks that may be coming your way.

Vigilance is also essential in living in spiritual readiness. This means being aware of your surroundings and staying alert to any signs of spiritual warfare. You can do this by paying attention to your thoughts and feelings and being mindful of any negative influences that may be affecting you.

Standing Firm in Faith

Standing firm in your faith is another crucial aspect of living in spiritual readiness. This means having a strong foundation in your beliefs and being willing to defend them when necessary. You can do this by studying the Bible regularly and seeking guidance from other believers.

It’s also important to remember that spiritual warfare is not always physical or visible. Sometimes, it can come in the form of doubts, fears, or temptations. By standing firm in your faith, you can resist these attacks and stay strong in your beliefs.

Living in spiritual readiness requires prayer, vigilance, and standing firm in your faith. By doing these things, you can be prepared for any spiritual battle that may come your way.

Applying the Armor to Daily Life

As a Christian, putting on the full armor of God is essential to your daily life. It is not enough to just know about it, but you must apply it to your life. Here are two areas where you can apply the armor of God:

Personal Growth

Putting on the full armor of God is not just about protecting yourself from the enemy, but it is also about personal growth. The armor of God is a tool that can help you grow spiritually and become a better Christian. For example, the breastplate of righteousness can help you stay on the right path and make good choices. The helmet of salvation can help you stay focused on your salvation and keep you from being distracted by the things of the world. The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, can help you grow in your knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

Community and Relationships

Putting on the full armor of God is not just about personal growth, but it is also about building strong relationships with others. The armor of God can help you be a better friend, spouse, parent, or coworker. For example, the shield of faith can help you stand up for what you believe in and defend others. The belt of truth can help you be honest and trustworthy in your relationships. The shoes of peace can help you be a peacemaker and reconcile conflicts.

In conclusion, putting on the full armor of God is not just a one-time event, but it is a daily practice. By applying the armor of God to your personal growth and relationships, you can become a stronger Christian and positively impact those around you.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can one practically apply the Armor of God in daily life?

One can practically apply the Armor of God in daily life by putting on each piece of the armor through prayer and relying on God’s strength. This involves seeking truth, living a righteous life, sharing the gospel, trusting in God, being saved through Jesus Christ, and using the Word of God to fight against spiritual attacks.

Stay Armored up, my friends, and joyfully pass it on! 💜